Chapter 17
"What are you talking about? What's going on?" Tess asked
Larek.
"I'm not sure if Liz wants to tell everyone or if I should.
Liz?" Liz gave a puzzled look. Larek walked over to Liz and touched her hand
and looked into her eyes. Liz's eyes filled with tears. A lone tear slowly ran
down her cheek. Max almost thought that Larek was hurting her until Liz turned
to Max and through their connection showed him. Max's eyes were also filled
with tears. Max grabbed Liz and brought her into a bear hug. 'I love you so
much.' Max thought to Liz. 'So this is okay?' Liz asked. 'Not great timing but
yes. I didn't think it was possible, but I think I love you more.' Max thought
back.
"Hello! Many people still confused over here. What's going
on? Why are you guys crying?" Isabel yelled to the couple impatiently.
Liz looked up at Max. He nodded in agreement. Liz looked at
everyone and simply said, "I'm pregnant."
Everyone stood shocked for a minute, and then erupted in
congratulations. Isabel pulled Liz into a hug and whispered "Your going to make
me an aunt! Thank you!" Isabel then hugged her brother. Michael went up to Max
and simply said "nice work, daddy." Max knew not to be offended; that was just
Michael's way of being happy for him. Liz felt a little awkward when Tess came
up to her and pulled her into a hug. Liz wasn't sure if Tess would resent her
not only going to marry Max but now have his child. "Congratulations Liz. Don't
worry just let me baby-sit every once in a while okay?" Liz with a huge smile
on her face just nodded. 'Wait till Maria and Alex find out!' Liz thought.
"Now that the congratulations are out of the way we have to
talk seriously. This baby, as great as it will be, is going to put a strain on
our plan. The problem is that you have to be very careful Liz about how much
power you exert. Losing too much energy won't just hurt you now; it could kill
the baby. I'm not sure what this baby will do to you Liz. It could give you
more energy or it could drain you more quickly. There are too many variables to
come close to any conclusion. Also if Kivar finds out that you are pregnant Liz
who knows what he might do. He might try and take the baby from you and place
it in a pod so that he can mass-produce it. Or he might try and kill you and the
baby to ensure his place as king. If it wasn't for you power to kill skins like
that I wouldn't even consider letting you go into the palace, but we have no
choice." Larek explained.
"So what is the plan anyways? You never did tell us what we
are going to do." Isabel asked.
"Well I didn't want to alarm you, but early this morning our
spies found out that Kivar has been told that Darran is dead. He was also
informed that the royal four and the legendary hybrid have left Earth. Luckily
for your friends, he has called all of his soldiers back to Antar, so they
shouldn't have any problems with anymore skins. There is a lot of risk
involved; I won't lie. My men and myself can only help you break into the
palace, after that its up to you five. The more people who enter the palace the
easier it will be for the skins to be alerted to your presence. We are told
that Kivar has a meeting in the morning with his advisors about you five and
what he wants to do about your escape. That is our only shot to getting this done."
Larek explained. Larek went on the specifics of everyone's jobs. With a little
apprehension everyone agreed to the plan.
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Max couldn't help but really worry about the plan. 'I know
Liz has to be there, but what if something goes wrong? I can't lose her or our
baby. What if I die? Our baby would grow up not knowing his or her father.
There are too many variables in the plan, I don't like it.' Max grabbed Liz's
hand and escorted her into their room.
"Max I know your nervous about this, so am I, but we got to
do it." Liz eyed Max to see if she needed further convincing. Max just looked
at Liz like she was this fragile glass that could be broken at the drop of a
hat. Liz sighed and pulled her fiancée into a hug. 'Max the prophecy said that
we would marry, have a child, and bring peace to our worlds. Look, we are
engaged and I'm pregnant. We are almost there, don't quit on me now.' Liz
thought to Max. Max just kissed the top of her head and tried to hold onto her
like there was no tomorrow. Max had a feeling that something would go wrong,
and he wasn't looking forward to find out what does.
Liz and Max laid down on their bed and wrapped his arms around
Liz. Max just wanted this whole ordeal to just dissipate. Liz could feel his
uneasiness. She knew something that might help him fall asleep. She thought of
a song by Ginny Owens. She placed could hear it in her head. She sent the song
to Max through their connection. Max could here a woman softly singing in his
head. Liz was right it did help and they both fell asleep with the song filling
both their heads.
The pathway is
broken
The signs are unclear
I don't know the reason why you led me here
But just because you love me the way that you do
I'm going to walk through the valley
If you want me to
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging
to the promise you're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to you
I
will go through the fire
If you want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When it leads me through a world that's not my home
But you never said it would be easy
You said that I'll never go alone
When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear you answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering your love put you through
And I will go through the valley
If you want me to
Ginny Owens- If
You Want Me To
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Everyone got up bright and early. Max, Liz, Tess, Isabel,
and Michael were given some clothes that would help them blend better with the
crowds. They couldn't risk getting caught, especially before they got in the
palace. They made their way through the crowded streets and onto the palace
grounds. Larek looked at the five teenagers. "Two of my men will help you in,
but after that you will have to go on your own. The others and I must depart
here. We all have faith in you. Just be careful, especially you Liz. When you
have used your blue light Liz we will come get you. If anything goes wrong we
will know and will try and help you. Good luck." With that last statement of
hope Larek and his men left the palace grounds. The pod squad and Liz looked at
each other with worry written all over their faces. Two of Larek's men curled
their finger at them motioning at them to follow them.
They followed Chris and Brendan. Since both of them "worked"
at the palace no one suspected them. They told the guard at the door that Liz,
Max, Isabel, Michael and Tess were Kivar's new servants. The guard nodded his
head and allowed him in. Once inside
Liz looked in wonder at the enormous building. It had a long corridor and many
rooms. Chris whispered "Everyone know what they are doing?" Everyone nodded.
Max and Liz kissed one another and departed. Max and Michael one-way. Isabel,
Liz and Tess another way. Chris and Brendan departed into a room.
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"Isabel are you sure about this? I mean something could go
wrong." Liz asked almost pleading to give an excuse to leave.
"Don't worry, I know you've got my back." Isabel winked.
"Tess are you ready?" Tess looked down at her watch. Tess waited to the exact
moment she was supposed to. She looked up and nodded. Isabel sighed, "Here goes
nothing." Isabel opened up the double doors and shut them behind her.
Kivar was discussing the royal four and the hybrid returning
with his top advisors when he saw Vilandra step into the room. "Speak of the
devil. Look what the cat dragged in. Vilandra where are your friends?"
Isabel tried her best to smile and not blast him into
tomorrow. "Oh you mean them? They're dead. Couldn't have them coming here and
killing my favorite guy now could I?" Isabel said seductively walking over to
Kivar. She tried to vomit when speaking those horrible words. "I know you
betrayed me in my last life, but I also know how great of a lover you were. I'm
willing to bet I'm much better in this life."
Kivar was wary of her. Something wasn't right. But she
looked so good in that halter-top. Maybe I could have my way with her, and then
kill her. "Really, I guess we'll have to find out won't we?"
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Tess could hear the talking and she knew it was time. She
looked liked she was in a trance. Liz knew she was doing it so she opened the doors
to the room. She could see Kivar talking to Isabel. They didn't see her! 'Good
job Tess!'
Kivar could feel this energy coming out of nowhere. He
looked around. Something was going on, and he knew he was in trouble. Isabel
knew he was figuring it out. 'Hurry up Liz.' Kivar knew he had been tricked. He
grabbed Isabel's arm. "Show yourself or your friend Isabel here is going to
die. Don't think I'm bluffing."
Tess was conflicted, she knew Liz could kill them, but
wasn't sure if she could do it before Isabel was hurt. Tess took a chance and
dropped the mind warp. Tess walked into the room next to Liz. "Let her go
Kivar." Tess snapped.
Liz was scared. Things got out of hand so quickly. What was
she going to do now? She looked at Isabel who was on the verge of tears. 'I'm
sorry Isabel.'
Kivar was pleased. "Where is Zan and Rath?" he asked
impatiently, he didn't like having two of them floating around somewhere.
"They died, they didn't survive over here. It's just us. We
thought we could do it on our own, but you were too smart for us." Liz lied.
She prayed he bought it.
Kivar was also uneasy about that statement. He eyed her.
"Well what do we have here, you must be the hybrid. Don't you go and use your
powers like you did on my men on Earth. It cost me a lot to have them sent down
there, and then you destroyed them. Sure you might be able to kill us, but not
before killing your friend Isabel here."
Liz was extremely nervous. 'Max help. We are in trouble
Kivar is holding Isabel hostage!' Liz hoped that he could hear her. Kivar saw
her uneasy look. "Tell you what. Truthfully I could careless about her, I just
want you. You, in exchange for Vilandra. Deal?"
Liz knew that Max and everyone would kill her for this later
if she made it out alive, but she didn't have a choice. "Deal." Kivar let go of
Isabel's arm. Isabel and Tess screamed at Liz, pleading at her to reconsider.
Liz slowly walked over to Kivar who held a hand pointed to Isabel in case Liz
chickened out. 'Forgive me for what I'm about to do.'